Hong Kong district council election: senior officials fan out across city and make 11th-hour appeal to boost turnout in first ‘patriots-only’ municipal poll

On the eve of the first 'patriots-only' district council election in Hong Kong, senior officials made a last-minute appeal to voters. They spread out across the city, urging citizens to participate in the democratic process. They also issued a stern warning against any attempts to undermine the election, promising to respond with firm action.

The government had been conducting a campaign for several weeks to generate enthusiasm for the election. This campaign reached its climax with a grand concert featuring drones and fireworks, which attracted thousands of spectators. Some residents, inspired by the spectacle, told the Post that they had decided to vote on Sunday. However, others remained unconvinced, stating that the event had no impact on their decision.

Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, appeared on a morning TV programme. He assured viewers that the authorities would be vigilant for any disruptions to the election. 'There are still some anti-China elements seeking opportunities to sabotage the administration's governance, and we've been keeping a close eye on these individuals,' he said. 'If there are people who resort to soft resistance to deliberately smear, defame and spread rumours about the election, we'll treat them seriously.